LONELINESS WAR

Who thinks Of those who wait in lonely homes For their men to return ?

At least a man Has the satisfaction of doing, of comradeship. His woman must stand alone Dreading the unexpected knock which brings A uniform who gently asks her name Before breaking the news of his death Or worse.

And even if He has not been hit She still must answer the children's fears Calm their nighttime screams While fighting to control her own. Find tasks to fill the empty hours Never look at the empty chair. Count off the days on a calendar Bolstered only by his forces mail. Until the day comes When she picks up a smelly stranger At the drill hall And lives with his moods While he comes to life again. Until the next time.